Cornell's defense attorneys will undoubtedly claim that the FBI entrapped their client, but it is important to recognize the danger he presented. Had Cornell decided to act alone, or had he met a true kindred spirit instead of a government informant, it is highly likely that he would have launched a simple armed assault similar to the one on the Canadian Parliament in October. Even though grassroots jihadists sometimes appear somewhat amateurish and inept — what we refer to as Kramer terrorists — it is very important to remember that, despite having limited terrorist tradecraft capabilities, they can and do kill people. This is especially true if the grassroots jihadist conducts an attack that is within his or her capability.
Planning and executing an attack like the one Cornell envisioned utilizing firearms and pipe bombs is not that difficult. Although an untrained individual would not get very far when attacking a hardened target such as the U.S. Capitol, he or she could still cause some deaths and would undoubtedly garner a great deal of media coverage, a main goal.
While the threat posed by grassroots jihadism exists in both the United States and Europe, the way it presents itself is different because of differences in the Muslim communities. Muslims in the United States tend to be more integrated into mainstream society than those in Europe. Some of Europe's large, insulated Muslim communities are somewhat akin to the inner city neighborhoods of some U.S. cities. These areas tend to see higher crime rates, and their residents tend to be marginalized and un- or underemployed. Such places are not only breeding grounds for crime, but they also provide a good environment for jihadist recruiters to operate in, as do the prisons where criminals from such areas frequently end up. European jihadists often network with trusted community members they have known for years, and law enforcement struggles to infiltrate such communities and networks.
Because of these environmental disparities, grassroots jihadists in Europe such as the ones responsible for last week's attacks in Paris are more likely to network with others than their U.S. counterparts, who tend to be more isolated. When grassroots jihadists in the United States attempt to network with others, they are more frequently ensnared in sting operations. Of course, in the past, jihadists within the United States have successfully formed networks — just not as frequently as their European counterparts — and sting operations have foiled planned attacks within Europe.
Like the recent grassroots attacks in Canada, France and New York, the Cornell case is a good reminder of the persistent jihadist threat, which has gained attention in the media recently but is nothing new. Terrorism has been and will continue to be a part of life in the modern world, but it does not have to be a source of paranoia, fear or dread. It must instead be kept in proper perspective, as should any other problem. However, people must practice appropriate situational awareness and be prepared to take action if an attack begins to unfold around them.
